Tending the Flame.

I few months back I remember someone telling me about how our ancestors, when migrating across the most desolate northern climes, would carry a small, lit ember in a pack. Imagine! Imagine the miracle of being able to keep such a precious thing alive. Imagine the faith it took to set out, knowing your life might depend on this small, hidden flame. Imagine the disaster if it was extinguished. Darkness. Oblivion.

I’ve been thinking a lot about that the past few days. The bravery of it. When I was little, one of my favorite winter imaginings was to stand with my back to our home, and look out over the fields. I would pretend that I was lost in the Arctic, surrounded by unfriendly woods, alone in a vast expanse of white. I would stagger forward, growing ever weaker. Wait! Was that the cry of hungry wolves? I would force myself onward but fall, at last, to my knees. Inevitably I died, but not before stretching one small, mittened hand toward the sky, beseeching God, in all his might, to save me.

Folks, I don’t think he’s coming.

The news is not good. An ugly, racist fascism is seeking to replace our democracy. Such damage in one week! A self-serving ban on Muslims–suspiciously exempting the countries with whom Trump has business dealings. (“Curiouser and curiouser!” As Alice would say.) Your federal lands can now be sold, turned into Amazon Fulfillment Centers without so much as a public hearing.The woman who may be trusted with caring for our nations school children is against public education, but for child labor. NPR and PBS are on the chopping block, as is the National Endowment of the Arts– those giant cash cows. There is talk of withdrawing from the United Nations–THE UNITED NATIONS!– And we all know what the plans are for health care.

Darkness. Oblivion.

And yet…and yet…Rogue Park Rangers swept in and showed resistance is not only possible, but cosmically hilarious. Gil Scott-Heron was right; the revolution will NOT be televised. It’s happening on twitter, who knew? Millions of women and men joined together in defiance of any roll-back in human rights. Impromptu airport protests sprung up in support of detained immigrants. And closing the White House comment line resulted in mischief and mayhem–thousands of calls to Trump’s hotels and restaurants by citizens determined to be heard. (“Hello, Reservations.” “Yes, I’d like to state my reservations about Trump being President.” Snicker.)

I walk through my neighborhood and note all the signs pledging support and welcome to all. I sit in the warmth of community and listen to my friends commit again and again to compassion. To decency. And I see, amidst all the howling darkness, the glow of each burning ember.

I am so grateful to all of you–everyone who is walking bravely forward into unknown night, determined that the light will not die. It might, you know. Our finer aspirations are so vulnerable, so fragile. I will forever maintain that it is better to fail, protecting that which is kind and selfless and good than succeed, jack-booting in service to violence, ignorance, and oppression. You are changed by what you carry in this life, and those indulging the racist, authoritarian whims of the President and his white-supremacist Puppet-Master, oh, excuse me, “Chief Strategist”, would do well to remember that. (I’m looking at you, Paul Ryan.)

In Winter’s Tale, Mark Helprin writes:
“…justice may not always follow a just act…justice can sleep for years and awaken when it is least expected. A miracle is nothing more than dormant justice from another time arriving to compensate those it has cruelly abandoned. Whoever knows this is willing to suffer, for he knows that nothing is in vain.”

We do not have to “get over it.” Ever. We do not have to acquiesce to actions so contrary to our democracy. We do not have to extinguish our flames, so that bigotry can more easily take hold. A future justice depends on it.

Recent Comments

Pam on I’m fine.We will not be looking back on these years with a happy chuckle and a thought of how whimsical the Universe can be, but I imagine the silver linings will continue to provide useful, elegant lessons in how to love this life we are living. You are a blessing and joy in my life and I am much better for knowing you. And this entry is freakin' hilarious!

Geanette on I’m fine.You amaze me. That’s all there is too it. The fact that you are willing and able to even LOOK for a silver lining is breathtaking. And then you make me laugh outloud. “And the award for best use of the word fish stick in a simile goes toooooo......!”
Oh Melanie.....keep filling our hearts with your observations and keep us laughing. We need inspiration like you. And now ... bonus ... I can say I’ve “read” Rilke!
Big love,
G

Pam on There are RULES, dangnabbit!Wow! Who is the noble cobbler? Mine took six weeks to repair the strap on my bag that I carry every day.
I am aware that your cobbler didn't say that they would be ready in two days, he just agreed that she could pick them up. I am delighting myself with the fantasy of her coming in to get her eight unrepaired boots and stamping her tiny foot while said cobbler merely swings his awl to point to the wall -- Ready in Two Weeks.

Melanie Danke on Wakey, wakey.Gosh, you are sweet. Thank you for that.

Geanette on Wakey, wakey.Didn't think I could POSSIBLY love you any more, but after reading this one. I do. I do indeed. You make me laugh when there's nothing to laugh about. You make me see the world with new eyes. No small feat. God, I love you!